More than 40 local progressive activists attended the first public meeting of Northwest Suburbs Organizing for Action (NWSOFA) on Thursday, January 31st at the Palatine Public Library. Bill Jenkins, an Associate Professor at Dominican University, spoke to the group about the need for gun violence prevention.

Jenkins, whose 16-year old son was killed by gunfire in 1997, said that 30,000 people are killed by gunfire in America every year. More than half of those are suicides. In contrast, Canada has about 200 gun deaths per year, and Australia has about 65.

President Obama has asked Congress to require that all gun purchasers must go through a background check to make sure they are not convicted felons, mentally ill, or otherwise prohibited from buying a gun. "Recent surveys show that 89% of all Americans and even 84% of gun owners support universal background checks," said Matt Flamm, one of the group's organizers.

Northwest Suburbs Organizing for Action (NWSOFA) was formed by local volunteers who had worked together on President Obama's reelection campaign and who continue to work for progressive change. The group is not partisan, but generally supports the mainstream progressive policies of President Obama. In addition to gun violence prevention, the group is working on immigration reform, climate change, and fiscal issues.

The group's next event will be a party to watch the State of the Union address on Tuesday, February 12th at 7pm at the Fox and Hound, 918 W. Dundee Rd. in Arlington Heights. For more information, go to www.nwsofa.org or call (224)241-2012.